At the shop, Kia transmission and driveline issues have a recognizable signature. 2,601 documented complaints across 130 year-model entries from 2005 to 2025 is consistent with what we see come in. Complaint volume is spread across the lineup rather than parked on one bad year. That's the signature of a platform or supplier issue, not a single-year flub. 2 fatality reports on file with NHTSA tied to this category on Kia vehicles. That elevates this from nuisance to safety-critical. Across the 1,126 complaints reporting odometer mileage, the median failure lands at about 58,786 miles. Repair exposure averages $2,500, which is meaningful money outside warranty. Pull a transmission fluid sample if you can. Color and smell tell you more than mileage alone. If the fluid is dark or smells burnt, walk.
ProblemsByVin KIA / POWERTRAIN
130 model-year entries · 2005–2025
Kia powertrain problems
2,601 owner complaints filed with NHTSA against Kia vehicles for powertrain issues. See powertrain across all makes →
Complaints
2,601
Recalls
0
Year-models
130
Avg fix
$2,500
87crashes
48fires
72injuries
2fatalities
Worst-affected Kia model-years for powertrain Top 25 by complaint volume
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
2011 Kia Sorento
245 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2016 Kia Sorento
117 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2020 Kia Soul
86 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2016 Kia Optima
64 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2014 Kia Sorento
63 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2013 Kia Sorento
61 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2016 Kia Soul
60 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2021 Kia Seltos
57 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2015 Kia Soul
57 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2022 Kia Sorento
56 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2020 Kia Telluride
56 complaints · ~$2,500 critical
2013 Kia Optima
56 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2014 Kia Soul
52 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2012 Kia Sorento
49 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2012 Kia Optima
48 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2019 Kia Sorento
47 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2015 Kia Optima
47 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2019 Kia Forte
46 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2022 Kia EV6
40 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2017 Kia Sportage
38 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2015 Kia Sorento
34 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2017 Kia Sorento
32 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2009 Kia Optima
32 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2018 Kia Soul
28 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2011 Kia Optima
24 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
Common questions
How many Kia powertrain complaints are on file with NHTSA?
2,601 complaints across 130 model-year entries from 2005 to 2025. No active recall campaigns currently cover this category for Kia.
Which Kia model has the most powertrain complaints?
The 2011 Kia Sorento leads with 245 complaints in this category. Next: 2016 Sorento (117) and 2020 Soul (86).
What does it cost to fix Kia powertrain problems?
Independent shops average $2,500 for powertrain repairs across the Kia lineup. Dealer pricing tends to run twenty to forty percent higher. Specific cost depends on the failure mode and parts availability.
Are there Kia powertrain recalls?
No active NHTSA recalls currently cover powertrain issues on Kia vehicles. The complaints are owner-reported and have not risen to a manufacturer recall.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database.
Editorial commentary written by Shop Foreman, an independent contributor to ProblemsByVin
and not affiliated with Kia.
Severity ratings derive from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities on the NHTSA complaint and recall record.
Repair cost averages reflect independent-shop pricing and may differ in your area.